Kudzu, coyotes and humans; are we all invasive species?

Published: Tuesday, February 18, 2014 at 12:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Monday, February 17, 2014 at 2:52 p.m.

The flathead catfish, the European gypsy moth, kudzu, coyotes: What do all these have in common? They are all considered non-native, introduced or invasive species.

Our ecosystems in North Carolina, as well as others throughout the world, involve a delicate system of checks and balances. In nature, species that are not indigenous to a particular area can cause a great deal of ecological damage. Invasive species compete with our native species for resources and often win this battle due to their lack of natural predators.

For instance, coyotes are historically found west of the Mississippi River. As the numbers of our grey wolves and red wolves declined, and more and more of our eastern forests were cleared, the coyote made his way into North Carolina and now has a strong foothold. They prey on our livestock, feed on our crops and are behind many mysterious disappearances of our small pets. They are also displacing large numbers of our native red fox that we depend on to control the populations of rabbits, mice and rats.

It is much the same story with kudzu, catfish and the gypsy moth. Sometimes invasive species have been accidentally transported, and sometimes they have been introduced on purpose. By whatever method they arrived in our area, these new kids on the block don't play by the same rules and can wreak havoc on our fragile ecosystem.

Now, before this turns into a fifth-grade science lesson, let's think of this issue another way. Are we a type of introduced species? Unless you are a Native American, your family arrived in this country from some distant part of the world. So what impact are we having on our environment? While most of us are not indigenous, does that mean we are invasive?

A speech given by Chief Seattle to Gov. Isaac Stevens of the Washington Territory in 1854 is very insightful. He addressed the possibility of accepting the governor's offer to move his tribe to a reservation and whether his tribe's reign as keepers of the land had come to an end:

"… The great, and I presume also good, white chief … sends us word that he wants to buy our lands but is willing to allow us to reserve enough to live on comfortably. This indeed appears generous, for the red man no longer has rights that he need respect, and the offer may be wise, also, for we are no longer in need of a great country. (There was a time) when our people covered the whole land, as the waves of a wind-ruffled sea cover its shell-paved floor. But that time has long since passed away with the greatness of tribes now almost forgotten. I will not mourn over our untimely decay, nor reproach my pale-face brothers for hastening it, for we, too, may have been somewhat to blame."

Perhaps the answer lies in the fact that change is inevitable, but we have a great responsibility to make it as positive as possible. As we bemoan the loss of our wolf and fox population, the fact is that the coyote is now our largest predator. Without him the mice and rat population run amuck. How would our ecosystem look if our eastern forests had not been cleared? Would we have our wolves and foxes still? We don't know the answer to these questions. We do know that the coyote is here to stay, at least for the foreseeable future, and we are here today also.

There are many wise choices we can make to assure we are responsible custodians of our environment and not an invasive, exotic species. Recycling, reusing and cutting our energy use all reduce our carbon footprint and help us make the most of our resources. On the local level, there are many options to explore to secure a future for our forests and farmlands. The LandTrust for Central North Carolina and the addition of Voluntary Agricultural Districts in our county are extremely beneficial in this cause. Just as Chief Seattle pondered his decision to accept the governor's proposal of a reservation, we must be keenly aware that our time as caretakers here is limited as well.

"… your proposal seems a just one, and I think my folks will accept it and will retire to the reservation you offer them, and we will dwell apart and in peace, for the words of the great white chief seem to be the voice of nature speaking to my people out of the thick darkness that is fast gathering around them … It matters but little where we pass the remainder of our days."

It is comforting to know that many biologists now consider non-native species to be quite beneficial. A study from the State University of New York points out that many now-beloved native creatures were once invasives. Several honeybee species were introduced to North America. Instead of trying to eradicate these bees, people now work to ensure that these "invading species" don't vanish.

So in the end we may actually be a little like our friend the coyote — a distant cousin of the one whose rank he now occupies. We are not one of the first residents here, and probably not the last. Nevertheless we are here, and we can fulfill our protective duty to the best of our abilities while we are.

"But why should we repine? Why should I murmur at the fate of my people? Tribes are made up of individuals and are no better than they. Men come and go like the waves of a sea. A tear, a dirge, and they are gone from our longing eyes forever. Even the white man, whose God walked and talked with him, as friend to friend, is not exempt from the common destiny. We may be brothers after all. We shall see." — Chief Seattle, 1854

Holly Poplin is a lifelong Davidson County resident who is glad her family's farmland is in the LandTrust for Central North Carolina. She also may have watched "Dances With Wolves" one too many times.

<p>The flathead catfish, the European gypsy moth, kudzu, coyotes: What do all these have in common? They are all considered non-native, introduced or invasive species.</p><p>Our ecosystems in North Carolina, as well as others throughout the world, involve a delicate system of checks and balances. In nature, species that are not indigenous to a particular area can cause a great deal of ecological damage. Invasive species compete with our native species for resources and often win this battle due to their lack of natural predators.</p><p>For instance, coyotes are historically found west of the Mississippi River. As the numbers of our grey wolves and red wolves declined, and more and more of our eastern forests were cleared, the coyote made his way into North Carolina and now has a strong foothold. They prey on our livestock, feed on our crops and are behind many mysterious disappearances of our small pets. They are also displacing large numbers of our native red fox that we depend on to control the populations of rabbits, mice and rats.</p><p>It is much the same story with kudzu, catfish and the gypsy moth. Sometimes invasive species have been accidentally transported, and sometimes they have been introduced on purpose. By whatever method they arrived in our area, these new kids on the block don't play by the same rules and can wreak havoc on our fragile ecosystem.</p><p>Now, before this turns into a fifth-grade science lesson, let's think of this issue another way. Are we a type of introduced species? Unless you are a Native American, your family arrived in this country from some distant part of the world. So what impact are we having on our environment? While most of us are not indigenous, does that mean we are invasive?</p><p>A speech given by Chief Seattle to Gov. Isaac Stevens of the Washington Territory in 1854 is very insightful. He addressed the possibility of accepting the governor's offer to move his tribe to a reservation and whether his tribe's reign as keepers of the land had come to an end:</p><p>"… The great, and I presume also good, white chief … sends us word that he wants to buy our lands but is willing to allow us to reserve enough to live on comfortably. This indeed appears generous, for the red man no longer has rights that he need respect, and the offer may be wise, also, for we are no longer in need of a great country. (There was a time) when our people covered the whole land, as the waves of a wind-ruffled sea cover its shell-paved floor. But that time has long since passed away with the greatness of tribes now almost forgotten. I will not mourn over our untimely decay, nor reproach my pale-face brothers for hastening it, for we, too, may have been somewhat to blame."</p><p>Perhaps the answer lies in the fact that change is inevitable, but we have a great responsibility to make it as positive as possible. As we bemoan the loss of our wolf and fox population, the fact is that the coyote is now our largest predator. Without him the mice and rat population run amuck. How would our ecosystem look if our eastern forests had not been cleared? Would we have our wolves and foxes still? We don't know the answer to these questions. We do know that the coyote is here to stay, at least for the foreseeable future, and we are here today also. </p><p>There are many wise choices we can make to assure we are responsible custodians of our environment and not an invasive, exotic species. Recycling, reusing and cutting our energy use all reduce our carbon footprint and help us make the most of our resources. On the local level, there are many options to explore to secure a future for our forests and farmlands. The LandTrust for Central North Carolina and the addition of Voluntary Agricultural Districts in our county are extremely beneficial in this cause. Just as Chief Seattle pondered his decision to accept the governor's proposal of a reservation, we must be keenly aware that our time as caretakers here is limited as well.</p><p>"… your proposal seems a just one, and I think my folks will accept it and will retire to the reservation you offer them, and we will dwell apart and in peace, for the words of the great white chief seem to be the voice of nature speaking to my people out of the thick darkness that is fast gathering around them … It matters but little where we pass the remainder of our days."</p><p>It is comforting to know that many biologists now consider non-native species to be quite beneficial. A study from the State University of New York points out that many now-beloved native creatures were once invasives. Several honeybee species were introduced to North America. Instead of trying to eradicate these bees, people now work to ensure that these "invading species" don't vanish. </p><p>So in the end we may actually be a little like our friend the coyote — a distant cousin of the one whose rank he now occupies. We are not one of the first residents here, and probably not the last. Nevertheless we are here, and we can fulfill our protective duty to the best of our abilities while we are. </p><p>"But why should we repine? Why should I murmur at the fate of my people? Tribes are made up of individuals and are no better than they. Men come and go like the waves of a sea. A tear, a dirge, and they are gone from our longing eyes forever. Even the white man, whose God walked and talked with him, as friend to friend, is not exempt from the common destiny. We may be brothers after all. We shall see." — Chief Seattle, 1854</p><p>Holly Poplin is a lifelong Davidson County resident who is glad her family's farmland is in the LandTrust for Central North Carolina. She also may have watched "Dances With Wolves" one too many times.</p>